Embracing the Wolf

So why was I deluding myself with doubts that he liked what he saw when he looked at Chloe? His eyes weren’t even on her; they were on me. Take that, Momma Everwood.

“Anna, may I speak with you in private for a moment?”

I blinked, retreating from my thoughts. Maggie stared at me expectantly. Having another one-on-one conversation with that woman was not on my immediate to-do list, but I didn’t want animosity with the mother of the man I loved. I would do everything in my power to be civil toward her, and if we didn’t get along, the blame would rest solely on her shoulders.

I stood and told Adam I would be back. I even smiled at Chloe. Adam still held my hand and tugged me back before I could leave. His hands came up to cup my face, and he stared into my eyes for a moment before he brought his lips to mine. I kissed him slow and methodically, making him feel the pressure each brush of my lips brought.

“Oh, for Heaven’s sake,” Maggie said behind me. “Respectable alphas do not make-out in public, Adam.”

I broke the kiss, annoyed with Maggie for her second interruption of the day. Smiling against Adam’s mouth, I gave him one quick kiss and turned to talk with the she-devil.

Maggie walked off without another word, and I followed, ready to get this over with so I could watch the games. She stopped at the side of the house, just far enough back that we were blocked from viewers. When she looked up at me, I could see the determination in her eyes. I already knew what she wanted to talk to me about.

“How many more times are you going to put Adam’s life in danger?”

My eyes widened. “I wasn’t aware I put his life in danger before the shooting.”

Maggie crossed her thin arms across her chest. “You’ve put his life in danger since the very beginning.” She rested one arm on the other, bent at the elbow, and held up a finger. “The first time was seducing him from Eve.”

“Wha … I—”

Maggie shook her head and continued, “The pairing of two clans is a very important business deal, Anna. You pranced in here and tempted my son into thinking he should be with you. It’s a miracle Eve’s father hasn’t declared war on us for our betrayal.”

Pranced? She made it sound like I was some floozy with the I.Q. of a toddler.

“Second,” Maggie said, holding up another finger. “You brainwashed Adam into going against our Leaders.” At my confused expression, she asked, “Was he not prepared to fight them for your freedom?”

I nodded, my mouth agape. “Yeah … but—”

She held up another finger. “Were you not the reason why a fight broke out here, and Eve was killed?”

“You’re spinning things out of context,” I said. “Yes, Anthony and Eve kidnapped me, but it was because they’re psychopaths. Eve was killing humans, risking our secret. Adam rescued me, and that started the fight, but it wasn’t all for me. It was to put an end to Eve’s murdering. I would think as an olde blood you wouldn’t want the first impression of wolves leaked to the public to be that we’re bloodthirsty monsters, and that’s exactly what they would have thought had Adam not taken care of the problem. Eve wasn’t tactful in her killings. She would have been discovered sooner or later.” I took a shuddering breath, worked up from the anger Maggie caused.

“Can I ask you something?” At her nod, I continued, “Why is it that you see fault in me, a person you don’t even know, yet you’re treating Anthony as though he’s a saint? He was part of Eve’s crazy plan and sleeping with her, I might add. You look down your nose at me for my bloodline, but you’re blind to all the faults of those with what you consider pure blood.” I paused and met her eyes glare for glare. “I may not have Eve’s social standing, but I would never treat your son the way she did. Politics play no role in a relationship. I love your son and the Great Spirits have brought us together as each other’s Chantes. Not even you, Maggie Everwood, can undo that.”

We studied each other for a few lingering moments. I’d said my peace, and I was done. There was nothing else to say that would convince her of my worth. This was another odd thing about my relationship with Adam. I’d never met a boyfriend’s parents before. I had never had a boyfriend long enough to reach that step.

“I believe you love him,” Maggie said softly, “but he’s my son, and the love of a mother will never be outdone by a girlfriend. I also love Anthony and see him for who he is, not who he shows the world. I will do everything in my power to protect both of them.” She took a step toward me, and I stiffened. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, ready to come to the surface, if needed.

“I’m about to do something I have never done,” Maggie said. She took a deep breath, readying herself for what she was about to say. “I beg you, walk away from Adam. Put his needs before yours and leave him. He will never stop placing himself in harm’s way while you are in the picture.” Her eyes changed from conniving to compassionate. “Love is a selfless emotion, Anna. Put aside your personal feelings and think about what it would mean for Adam if you left.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Maggie held up a hand to stop me.

“Think about it,” she said. “Just because we got lucky this time, doesn’t mean we’ll get a second chance. The next attack could be his last. Will you be able to get over the regret his death would cause?” She took another step closer and reached out to me, placing her hands on either side of my shoulders.

“If the answer is yes, then you do not truly love him. If the answer is no, then do something to prevent it.”

She didn’t give me another chance to speak. With one last look, she walked past me. I spun around and watched her move toward the bleachers. A lot of people walked back and forth, either heading to watch the games or taking advantage of the huge buffet we had catered. Through the gaps of the crowd, I could see Adam sitting on the bleachers. Chloe laughed at something, and Adam kept his gaze on the obstacle course in front of him.

It struck me then that maybe the reason the purebloods arranged mates was for the protection it offered them from the Chante myth, rather than getting a leg up in their rankings. By pairing two people who did not love each other, there was no risk of them bonding. What Adam and I thought was a testament to our love could also be construed as a curse—a weakness.

Adam looked over, his eyes searching for me. When he found me, we locked gazes and a pain shot through my chest. Could I really just walk away from him? He stood up—ready to come over when I shook my head. I tried for a smile, but it probably looked as fake as it felt.

I looked away, unable to hold his eyes and think what I was thinking. The idea of leaving him caused an unfathomable amount of guilt. I knew he wouldn’t understand. Hell, I didn’t understand why I was even considering it.

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you.”

I looked up from the ground. Elle stood with her hands on her hips. Today, she had her long copper hair braided. A few wisps escaped and played against her neck.

I swallowed around the discomfort Maggie had caused. “What’d you need?”

“You, of course,” Elle said with a smile. “You’ve been M.I.A., and everyone is anxious to meet you.”

I noticed she still didn’t look me in the eye. “Yeah, I trained this morning and just had a … chat with Adam’s mom.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Everyone probably thinks I’m stuck up, huh? I promise I’m not trying to ignore them.”

She stepped forward and looped her arm through mine, tugging me forward. I laughed when I stumbled over a stick. Elle made it easy to forget all of my troubles, even if they’d be waiting for me tomorrow.

* * * *

“This is the infamous Anna Avery,” Elle said, holding her hands out in her best Vanna White impression.

I was standing in the middle of a medium-sized crowd, all eyes on me. I smiled nervously and held up my hand in a small wave. Being on display wasn’t as fun as it sounded.

“Anna, it’s such a pleasure to meet you,” a young man said. “My name’s Leif. I’m the brother of Sage.”

I thought for a minute and then briefly remembered meeting Sage back at the house. Now that he mentioned it, I could see the resemblance. Where Sage had long hair like an oil slick, Leif’s hair was cut short. Both siblings were of Native American descent and absolutely beautiful. Leif’s big brown eyes smiled back at me, and a dimple dented his cheek when he grinned. I’d guess he was in his teens. Once he got older, the ladies would be banging down his door.

“It’s very nice to meet you too, Leif.” That caused him to smile wider.

“You’ve met Jill,” Elle said, pointing to the enthusiastic woman I’d met the other day. I smiled, but made sure not to engage her. I wasn’t in the mood to discuss my relationship with Adam.

Elle rambled off names, pointing to faces as she did. I nodded and smiled politely, all the while wanting to just blend in with the crowd. I didn’t see what the fuss was about. So, I was a mutt who’d bonded with an alpha. Was that so gossip worthy?

Elle nudged me in the ribs. I scowled at her, and she widened her eyes for me to pay attention. Apparently someone was talking to me, and I hadn’t noticed. I looked up to find the face of a very handsome man. My wolf perked up and took notice, too.

“The ceremony was beautiful,” the man was saying. “You were beautiful. It’s such a shame it was ruined. I was very much looking forward to Adam pledging himself to you.” The man winked, and a slight tremor ran through my legs. His eyes were the color of arctic ice, though there was nothing cold about the way he was looking at me.

“Anna, this is Ben Jenkins,” Elle said.

Ben Jenkins. Why did that name sound familiar?

“Alpha of the Idaho pack,” Ben supplied and held out his hand.

I had an ah-ha moment, the name clicking in my brain. So this was the man the Leaders planned to send me to just a couple weeks ago when they accused me of Eve’s murders. I reached out and shook his hand, and my body instantly grew hot. My stomach clenched, and my breasts strained against the cotton of my tank top.